ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 10321ProclamationBiden · DCeremonial

Proclamation 10321

Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2021

This proclamation designates December 10, 2021 as Human Rights Day and the week beginning December 10, 2021 as Human Rights Week. It commemorates the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, highlights the Biden Administration's human rights priorities including rejoining the UN Human Rights Council and hosting the Summit for Democracy, and calls on Americans to observe these occasions with ceremonies and activities.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 71127

Impact dates

  1. Human Rights Day

  2. Human Rights Week begins

Key directives

  • Proclaim December 10, 2021 as Human Rights Day
  • Proclaim week beginning December 10, 2021 as Human Rights Week
  • Call upon people of the United States to mark observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation takes effect upon signing December 9, 2021
  • Human Rights Day designated as December 10, 2021
  • Human Rights Week designated as December 10-16, 2021

Near term (90d)

  • U.S. term on UN Human Rights Council begins January 1, 2022
  • Summit for Democracy to be held (date unspecified in document)

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Document contains aspirational policy language but no binding directives beyond ceremonial designation
  • Mention of 'first Summit for Democracy' without specific date creates uncertainty
  • Rejoining UN Human Rights Council already accomplished by signing date; proclamation describes past actions rather than directing new ones
Proclamation 10321: Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2021 · Executive Orders